AFL FANS ASSOCIATION (AFLFA) INAUGURAL FAN FORUM REPORT JULY 2018 What The Fans Said AFLFA FAN FORUM REPORT The AFLFA held its first Fan Forum on 24 June 2018 at the Richmond Football Club. About 250 people of all ages participated, with 100 physically present at the Forum, and another 150 participating by email. The Forum allowed the AFLFA to ask fans about their experiences at the football, what they thought football’s strengths were and what they would like to see improved. This report captures the wonderful Forum contributions made by fans via small group round-table discussions and online participation. A note-taker was placed at each table to transcribe the discussion. In drawing this report together, we have observed three important principles – ensuring the coverage is comprehensive, showing participants that their contributions were heard and accounted for, and summarising the content in a way that is an accurate and meaningful. Note: The comments in bold indicate a more frequent response across the discussion groups. The comments in blue under each set of responses represent our summaries of the contributions. ´Fans are the largest stakeholder in our great game. It is vital for the health of AFL football that they are listened to and feel heard. Providing an authentic voice for fans was the genesis behind the AFLFA being formed in the first place and this remains our core commitment.’ Gerry Eeman, AFL Fans AssoCiation President 2 What The Fans Said WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTY? connectedness with my club • family gets together to attend games • the friendly banter • make a lot of new friends and those friends become like part of your family • it’s a tradition in my family • I like the uniqueness of the game • it’s being able to build friendships and relationships with people that I wouldn’t usually build relationships with • it intoxicates me and takes me away from my everyday problems • having a drink at the game beforehand • socialising with like-minded people • love the game of football • easily mix with opponents at the same game • seeing women play footy has changed my life. I loved the game itself, but seeing people who looked like me (when I was young) playing, being rough, being skilful and passionate, has awoken my footy passion • we love the atmosphere at a live game, all that surrounds the sport, such as footy tipping, Supercoach, AFL Record, AFLX • noisy and exciting and can give an adrenaline rush • being able to sit together without fear of confrontation • watching an Australian rules football match live in the stadium is obviously the most rewarding way to consume the sport • the anticipation in the air as a big crowd descends en masse to the stadium before a big match • shared experience • supporters from opposing teams are not segregated • attending is affordable, it’s good value for money • it’s Australia’s game •safe to take kids to the footy • game day presents the opportunity for people to ConneCt • Pride Games do good work to make footy an inclusive game • cheer squads create the infectious atmosphere that makes the game such an enjoyable day out • kicking the footy in the park with my daughter • I love the atmosphere of the Crowd • Anzac Day match at the 'G • kick to kick after the match • nothing beats watching the game live • very passionate supporters • Many fans repeatedly expressed their pleasure at the inclusiveness of attending live games. They felt that fans from opposing teams could sit side-by-side, barrack for their respective teams and still be friends afterwards. This collective feeling of inclusiveness at games was noted to extend to people who supported other sporting codes, people who identify as LGBTIQ and people from other countries. ‘Family’ was mentioned in several ways: 1) a ‘footy family’ that described anyone who loved the sport, 2) ‘club family’ that encompassed a specific club’s fans, and 3) generational family members following the same team. In all respects, fans felt connected and supported in their ‘footy family’. The cheer squad was praised for playing an important role in creating the joyous atmosphere. Fans expressed a special love of the anticipation of a game, of arriving at the stadium and of participating in the passion that other fans displayed. The physicality of the game, and its uniqueness were important to fans including the game’s ability to evolve. Women’s football was also mentioned by many as inspirational, affirming for women, and creating new relationships between parents and their daughters. Lastly, many fans expressed pleasure in the peripheral elements of the game such as Supercoach, the AFL Record, and to a lesser extent, AFLX. 3 What The Fans Said HOW IMPORTANT IS FOOTY IN YOUR LIFE? it is a habit that can only be switched off in the off-season • football is an outlet where we Can forget about life’s problems • it provides an avenue for social change • footy is a huge part of my entire family • I’ve missed lots of birthdays • I plan on having my children so that they’re born in the off-season • great leveller of different people and Classes • can’t imagine life without going to the football, rain hail or shine • met my wife from going to the footy, most of my friends through going to the football • keeps families together• Football is also important in people’s personal lives as it provides a platform for the education and acceptance of social issues such racial, sexual and gender matters • makes the winter months pass quicker • uses footy to meet new people and make friends • it’s a soCial glue for people • atmosphere at the game is much better than TV • footy can create friendships • women are a very big part of footy • sense of togetherness • non-discriminatory nature of the game • love the theme songs • opportunity for men/women to be involved in the game • social life at times is arranged around the games • the footy season is all about attending games, talking about footy with like-minded fans and watching other games on TV • meeting up with friends on a Saturday afternoon and exchanging news of the past week, how the kids are doing at school, and where we are holidaying the next year • it’s a social thing • it has become important very quickly to my daughter after the advent of AFLW • social events are organised around the fixture • the game is uniquely Australian • I go to the footy with my family and friends • love the feeling of being part of the footy club • Many fans expressed how important the football was to them, even stating that they organised their children’s births so that they would fall in the off-season, so they wouldn’t miss celebrating their birthdays. Many fans repeatedly mentioned missing family occasions because they preferred to go to the football and that they arranged their social lives around football fixtures. Again, fans mentioned the uniqueness and Australianness of the football and that it was the ‘social glue’ that held community together. Many fans reiterated the idea that women were now integral to football both as fans and as players and that the AFL needed to adjust its attitude to this development. Positive attributes included singing the football song, meeting a partner for the first time at a match, keeping families together and providing a place to discuss day-to-day issues such as holiday plans and school reports. Many fans also stated that the AFL was good at addressing social issues. 4 What The Fans Said WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL MATCH DAY EXPERIENCE – BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE GAME? be organised and arrive early • footy tipping and Supercoach done • buy an AFL Record • a very loud crowd • big fundraising total for cheer squad activities• cheer squad banners are not too commercial or corporate • lots of information on the scoreboard • quieter times during the quarter-time breaks • a safe and speedy exit • well-lit and safe public transport platform • easy access to public transport • no silliness like Kiss Cam • singing the song • curtain raiser VFL or AFLW or TAC game • make our way to the ground listening to footy talkback on the radio • simple and no frills • Game Day, listen to Coodabeens on ABC Radio • I like the Port Adelaide fans singing ‘Never Tear us Apart’ • our game is unique and it doesn’t need much extra entertainment • Dreamtime at the G is always a great spectacle • getting ready, donning jumper, meeting cheer squad, seeing players run through the banner • drinks with friends before game, cheer my team for a win and sometimes socialise with fellow fans • meeting people, usually friends • talking to my friends and enjoying the excitement leading up to a game • I hate when the signage tells us to cheer • sponsor messages during the game are too much of a distraction • start times and weekday games clash with family commitments and children’s sports • arriving at the MCG for the first time in a new season and catching your first glimpse of the pristine green playing surface • curtain-raiser before the AFL game to enCourage fans to Come earlier • minimal loud music • less ground announcer noise at breaks—can’t talk to friends, or on the phone, or listen to the radio • less advertising, especially after goals in a match • less video and other games • enjoy a meal and a few drinks before the game at a venue outside of the ground • watching the Reserves before the game • AuskiCk at half time • play AFLW games in the winter • rotating banners on the boundary fenCes should be still during playing time • we don’t need loud musiC or gimmiCky US-style glitz.